Loudon Plans a Honda Hoot Alternative

Russ Townsend

4:00 PM, Mar 12, 2009

This summer, the city of Loudon is planning its first motorcycle rally. Titled "The Smokey Valley Rally," it will be held June 4 through 7 at Loudon Municipal Park, just one mile off of Interstate 75. Mark Harrell of the City of Loudon Parks and Recreation Department, and a rider himself, says that they have a large group of area business people and volunteers working hard to make this a great event.

Many of the details of the rally are still being worked out, but the goal is clear: a fun, family oriented event that will hopefully fill in some of the vacuum that was created when the 2009 Honda Hoot was cancelled.

"This event is going to be all about the ride," says Rick Terry, who is involved in planning the routes. "We plan to have six routes mapped out, two per day, that people can ride at their own pace. Each ride will branch out in a different direction. We are also planning for one of these rides to be a poker run."

The initial plans are to have at least two different bands playing each night at the park, so along with the vendors there should be plenty of things to see and do.

"We want to invite everyone, regardless of what they ride, to come to Loudon and have a great time riding through the mountains," Harrell says. "We are talking to various vendors for food, motorcycle apparel, and bike related products, and we already have deals with several local hotels to provide special event rates."